Velma L. Hatcher

Memorial services for Velma L. Hatcher, 87, Lawrence, are pending and will be announced by Rumsey-Yost Funeral home.

Mrs. Hatcher died Monday, April 19, 2004, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

She was born Jan. 8, 1917, in Fredonia, the daughter of Emory and Eva Clary. She dropped out of school during the Great Depression to help support her family. She moved to Cherryvale in 1938 and lived there until July 1990. She moved to Lawrence Presbyterian Manor in 1992.

Mrs. Hatcher was a homemaker. She also was a men’s department manager of the J.C. Penney Co. store in Independence, Kan., from 1963 until her retirement in 1979.

She was active in the Cherryvale Civic Club, where she served as president and secretary. She developed an alphabetical index locating each plot in the Cherryvale Cemetery and helped people locate graves each Memorial Day. She taught beginners’ Sunday school at First United Methodist Church for 25 years.

She married Archie Hatcher on July 1, 1938. He died in 1979.

Survivors include a son, Donald Hatcher, Lawrence; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Assn. or Presbyterian Manor Resident Council Employee Gift Fund, sent in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.